Matthew 16:20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
Earlier in verse 16, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Christ. Jesus tells Peter that he knows this truth because it has been revealed to him by God. At the end of the conversation Jesus warns them to not tell anyone who He is. Why would Jesus do that? I think it was partially due to the fact that the disciples didn't have a complete understanding of what Jesus' calling was. They needed time with Him to deepen their personal relationships with Him so that when they were sent to spread the good news, they would have deeper understanding and a heart connection to the Messiah. Jesus also knew of the need for God to reveal who He was at the right time. I believe these are still true today. Before we start telling others of Jesus, we have to have that personal relationship with Him so that we know who He is with our heads and have that deep connection with him in our hearts. And, timing matters. No matter how loud or often you tell others about Jesus, if the ear is not ready to hear, it won't. I'm not saying we shouldn't share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in case someone isn't ready to hear it. Planting seeds is an important part of our faith walk. We just have to remember that God is who reveals His Son to people. Our job is to share our relationship and the good news of Jesus with others, which plants the seed, but ultimately it is God who reveals to the heart who Jesus truly is. Jesus, the Son of Man, is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He who has an ear, let him hear. --Revelation 13:9
Earlier in verse 16, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Christ. Jesus tells Peter that he knows this truth because it has been revealed to him by God. At the end of the conversation Jesus warns them to not tell anyone who He is. Why would Jesus do that? I think it was partially due to the fact that the disciples didn't have a complete understanding of what Jesus' calling was. They needed time with Him to deepen their personal relationships with Him so that when they were sent to spread the good news, they would have deeper understanding and a heart connection to the Messiah. Jesus also knew of the need for God to reveal who He was at the right time. I believe these are still true today. Before we start telling others of Jesus, we have to have that personal relationship with Him so that we know who He is with our heads and have that deep connection with him in our hearts. And, timing matters. No matter how loud or often you tell others about Jesus, if the ear is not ready to hear, it won't. I'm not saying we shouldn't share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in case someone isn't ready to hear it. Planting seeds is an important part of our faith walk. We just have to remember that God is who reveals His Son to people. Our job is to share our relationship and the good news of Jesus with others, which plants the seed, but ultimately it is God who reveals to the heart who Jesus truly is. Jesus, the Son of Man, is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He who has an ear, let him hear. --Revelation 13:9
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